Ways to Recycle Activities for Kids Play Ideas

Fun ways to recycle activities as well as repurpose and reuse activities is something to think about all year long. What can you make from what you already have. We associate Earth Day with finding ways to recycle activities for kids, but we really should be putting in a conscious effort all year round.

RECYCLE ACTIVITIES FOR NEW PLAY IDEAS

When I think about finding ways to recycle activities, the words re-use and re-purpose come to mind. Turn old toys into new toys again, make your own toys, try out fun new sensory recipes and science ideas. You can keep the cycle going all year round!

MAKE EARTH DAY EVERYDAY

We make Earth day every day here when it comes to our activities and early learning projects! No, not every thing we do comes straight from the recycling container. I am going to show you how we make the very most of what we purchase to re-use, re-purpose and recycle our activities into new activities time and time again. And yes, sometimes I dig around in the recycling bin too! What I am doing is making a conscious effort to find the most uses for the items we already have and for those I choose to buy! It can be very simple to reuse and recycle activities into new activities!

SHOP WITH A PURPOSE

When I am in a store I ask myself a few questions:

Many times the questions will make me put the item back. I did not do this at first and always bought to much! Just because it’s cheap, also doesn’t mean you need to buy it. Have a clear plan for what you want to buy and a list!

How many activities will I use this for?

Will it be useful next year if it’s seasonal?

Do I already have enough of these items?

What will the enjoyment factor be?

DO I REALLY NEED THIS?

GET ORGANIZED

That’s right! I can do a much better job repurposing, reusing and recycling activities if I keep what I have organized, neat and ready to go. I want to make the most out of the items I purchase and always-re-use them for the next project. Dedicate a shelf, drawer, or container.

All sensory bin fillers are neatly stored in gallon zip lock bags in a large clear tote next to shelf.

Seasonal items are separated and stored in bags as well and placed in a cardboard box on a shelf.

Non-Seasonal or general items that are used all year are stored in zip lock bags.

I keep a special container for recyclable items, cool packaging materials, and styrofoam.

I keep a caddy with essentials like tape, glue, pencils, markers, and rulers

We make lots of our own homemade doughs, slimes, and other cool sensory play materials from items in the kitchen! It’s easier than you think! Sensory bins can be stored easily in large zip top bags to be used over and over or changed with seasons and holidays. Our homemade slime lasts a long time!

This pretty much speaks for itself. We find all sorts of great stuff that we have used for book themed sensory bins and science activities.

GET OUTSIDE

We have done many activities that have made a real impact, that did not require me to make, buy or travel for any of it. We love simple science experiments outside. We enjoy nature walks. In fact, talking with your child about what you are experiencing, doing, seeing and feeling can be the best activity of all. No batteries required. Plan a scavenger hunt on your next nature walk. Investigate a pond. Make mud. Go to the beach.

Kids love simple. I have found that out the hard way but now stick with simpler the better! The more complicated you make an activity, the more steps involved, even the more items involved, the more overwhelming it becomes for a small child.

The goal is to get more out of what you already have before moving on to the next new item!

Constantly look and think about what else an object can become or what activity it can be a part of too. Scavenger hunts, search and finds, puzzle piece hunts, and treasure hunts can turn simple items into a morning of play! There are countless options for plastic Easter eggs! Recycle activities from one day to the next when you are using seasonal items!

Awesome Busy Boxesmade from odds and ends or small activities that have been hidden away amongst the larger toys are new again!

ENJOY EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF MAKING THE PERFECT ACTIVITY

My husband once told me, don’t let progress get in the way of perfection. I am sure this must be a quote from somewhere, and I love it. Your child will love you even if what you do is not perfect. If you feel everything must be perfect first, you will miss out on a great deal of fun. Enjoy some of our simple to do activities but leave time to read books and daydream too!